Enveloping cigar



R. J. BEUTEL.

ENVELOP ING CI GAR Sept. 6, 1932.

Filed March l, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l 9 4 4 w d y Naf d M p H .uur

lN NTOR ATTORNEY R. J. BEUTELy ENVELOPING CIGAR Sept. 6, 1932.

Filed March l, 1930 2 sheeS-Sheet 2 EN f Y ATTORNEY lV M53.

Patented Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES APATENT OFFICE ROBERT J'. BEUTEL, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TOl INTERNATIONAL CIGAR MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION .OF NEW JERSEY ENVELOPING- CIGAR Application led March 1, 1930. Serial No. 432,508.

This invention relates to packages for cigars and other elongated articles and a method and apparatus for making the same. The invention particularly relates to packaging such articles in transparent cellulosic Wrapping material such as cellulose hydrate, glassine and the like.

Such material is dilicult to wrap and fold because of its resilient nature which causes it to unfold unless sharply creased. Also this material if too much folded or crumpled in fitting it about the article loses some of its transparency and thus much of its attractiveness.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a better and cheaper packa e of the above nature. To this end it is an o ject of the invention to provide a machine which will make a -smooth neat fold over the taf pered or rounded end of an elongated article such for instance as that of a cigar. Still another object is to so fold and crease the Wrapper that it will retain the shape to which it is folded after folding is completed.

Another object is` to provide a folding method and means which will involve a minimum number of parts and which parts will perform both folding, creasing and molding or laying of the material about the article end. Another object of the invention is -to provide effective end folding mechanism for articles of the above description.

Another-object of the invention' is to provide effective heat sealing means which seal the end of the cigar Without subjecting the same to pressure or too close contact with the heating element.

Still another object is the production of a more neatly folded package for tapered or rounded ended articles. Still anotherl object is-the production of Wedge shaped end fold for this purpose which will be practical lfor the above mentioned wrapping materials,

Whichwill involve-less wrinkles and folds l and less loss of transparency, and which will permit an unobstructed view of the end of the article.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view the invention consists in certain constructions and combinations which will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanyin drawings, which form a part of this s ecication and in which like characters of re erence indicate the same or like parts, Fig. l is a side view of the improved package; Fig. 2 is a top-view of the package shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perh spective View of one end of the package shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a somewhat diagramatic view in side elevation of a machine adapted for wrapping packages in accordance with the invention; Fig. 5 to l5 are diagrams showing successive operations in folding one of the ends of the package, and the means for accomplishing these operations.

The apparatus employed in carrying the invention into eEect comprises devices for supporting an elongated article encircled by a wrapper which overhangs one of its ends, together with means having tucker elements movable into interlitting relationship about the axis of the article for tucking in and creasing the overhanging material, and mech-A anism for flattening and folding transversely the end portion of the tucked material. In the best constructions said tucker elements have complementary angle portions projecting toward said axis. Preferably said tucker sections include portions complementary in shape to the article end for laying the wrapper about the end during said tucking.

The method employed in carrying the invention into effect consists in wrapping a sheet of material circumferentially about the article and overhanging said end, tucking in the circumference of the overhanging material ,to form a series of radiating folds,

j forming the projecting tucked material and transversely folding the end portion of the formed material.

In the best methods contemplated saidl tucking consists in tucking the overhanging material at two opposed points to form the material into figure eight crosssection and then tucking the loops of the figure eight to form the overhanging material into X crosssection. Preferably the radiating folds forming the X are sharply creased.

The various means and steps referred to may be varied widely in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular device and method selected to illustrate the invention is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same. The invention therefore is not to be restricted to the precise details shown and described.

Referring now to the drawings, a wrapper W of resilient transparent cellulose hydrate encircles the cigar which as it confes from the box is of generally rectangular crosssection, and this wrapper extendswell beyond the tapered or rounded end of the cigar. The end portion of the wrapper is sharply pleated in four pleats P leading from the four corners of the cigar and defining the four corners of a wedge shaped covering formed by flattening the pleats beyond the cigar end. The end of the tongue of fiattenedmaterial thus formed is folded back along a transverse fold line and sharply creased or crimped to form the closed end of the wedge formation and to prevent the resiliency of the material from unfolding and opening the end of the pack- I age, the sharply creased pleats doing likewise. Thus an attractive transparent package end which fits the tapered end of the cigar with a minimum number of folds and which is peculiarly suited to the nature of this material, is provided. v

In the machine shown for manufacturing this cigar package, there is employed an intermittently revolving turret provided with open pockets into which the cigars and simultaneously cut lengths of the wrapping material are inserted and clamped. While the cigars are so held a number of devices carried by the turret fold the wrapper circumferentially about the )cigar and seal the longitudinal seam and other devices arranged exterior to the turret tuck and fold its ends.

Referring to Fig. 4, the turret revolves in the direction of the arrow shown, and I, II, III, are separate stations at which its motion is stopped and at which the different folding operations are performed.

The intermittently rotated turret, which is mounted on a sleeve 2O rotating on a stationaryvshaft 21, consists of a number of radial arms 22 provided with levers 23 loosely mounted on shafts 24 carried by the same, the said levers being controlled by pivoted members 25 fast on shafts 24, which are actuated by cranks 26 having rollers 27 held in contact with a stationary cam 28 by springs 29 extending from shafts 30 in arms 22 to posts 31 in crank arms 32. The members 23 are urged toward the turret arms 22 lby springs 33 extending from posts 34 in members 23 to shafts 35 in arms 22.

The cam 28 is so designed that, at the proper moment as the turret travels around, the loose member 23 of each arm when actuated by the pivot member 25 as hereinafter described, brings a movable jaw 36 carried b it toward or away from a stationary jaw 3.77 attached to the arm 22, thus opening or closing the cigar pocket formedthereby at the end of each turret arm. The members 25 carry folding plates 38 which are likewise controlled by the cam 28. The bottom walls of the turret pockets are formed by plungers 39 urged outwardly by springs 40.

On the shafts '35 are mounted angle members 41 and gear segments 42, the latter meshing with segments 43 fast on the shafts 30 which are controlled by cranks 44 having rollers 45 held in contact with a stationary cam 46 by springs 47 extending from posts 48 in segments 43 to the shafts 35 of the next preceding turret arm. The cams 28 and 46 are mounted on shaft 21.

At station I, the cigar C and the cut wrapping material W are pushed into one of the turret pockets, the wrapping material being fed intermittently, as needed, into guides 49 by feed rollers 50'which pull the web from a reel supported on the frame of the wrapping machine. Before entering the guides 49, the web W passes along a plate 51 on which a heated, waxy adhesive is applied to it by a roller 52 swinging on an arm 53. The roller 52 has aridge 54 which takes the adhesive from the drum 55 rotating in the heated receptacle 56, the shaft 57 of the drum, driven by the gears 58 and 59, carrying the eccentric pin 60, which operates the arm`53 by means of the connecting link 61. The movement of arm l53 at the same time turns the roller 52, the shaft of the latter having a crank 62 connected by a link 63 to the adhesive receptacle 56, so that the ridge 54 deposits a narrow strip of the adhesive across the width -of web W. The adhesive applying device is placed asufficient distance above the feed rollers 5() to allow the'adhesive to cool and harden before the web W enters the guides 49 which lead it to the ledger plate 64 with which cooperates a knife 65 swinging horizontally on the cross piece 66.

As the cigar C, which is fed from a supply by a suitable transfer device not shown, approach-es the turret, it encounters the free end WY of the wrapper web which hangs down the proper length in front of the turret. The forward pushv of the transfer device clamps the wrapper web between the cigar and the turret plunger 39 which is in its outmost position shown in dotted lines, so that now the web is held in place while the knife65 cuts off the proper length. The cut wrapperW is then pushed farther into the turret pocket bythe entering cigar C, thereby folding the former around three sides of the latter. As

soon as the cigar is full)7 inserted, the cigar 27 descending to the low surface of cam '28 on leaving station I, thereby first bringing down the folding plate 38 on member 25 which lays the inner fold of the wrapper W onto the outside surface ofthe cigar C, and then allowing spring 33 to move member 23, which member was held against the folding member 25 by an adjustable set screw 67 in the, bridge element 68 of member 23.

On transit between stations I and II, the roller 45 enters the low surface of cam 46, thereby partly closing the angular folding member 41 which on arrival at station II, is in such a position that it holds the last side flap of wrapper WV in a substantially radial direction.

Between stations II and III, the folder 41 closes the remainderof the way, having fully lapped the last side flap of the wrapper over the cigar by the time the turret arm arrives at station I'II. An arm 70 having projections 7l fitting into recesses or slots in the ends of the folders 41, which in its idle position shown in dotted lines (Fig. 4) is in contact with a heater 72, descends upon the fold, thereby heating the waxy adhesive applied by roller 52 and sealing the joint.

Thus at station III the cigar is supported with the wrapper encircling it 4and overhanging its tapered or rounded ends. For the purpose of producing the sharply creased wedge shaped end about the end of the cigar two pairs lof interitting tucker elements 75 and 78 are provided one at each of the four sides of the cigar. These tucker elements have inwardly projecting complementary angle portions 7 5a, 7 8a respectively and are movable toward the end of the cigar and into interfitting relationship. as shown in Figs. 5 to 9 thus tucking the overhanging material radially from opposite sides and then com.- pressing the radial folds so formed to sharply crease or pleat the material into X formation. The crease tends to keep the material from unfolding too much due to its resilient properties and to make square attractive corners on the completed package end despite the rounded end within. I

The tucker elements 75 and 78 at the end thereof next to the cigar are also provided with portions 75?) and 7 8b, respectively, complementary in shape to the end of the cigar which serves to lay the material smoothly about the end of the cigar, at the same time pushing the surplus into the spaces between tuckers for pleating.

The two tucker elements 75 arey united at the end thereof distant from the cigar end and secured upon a pair of rods 7 6 horizontally slidable in an axial or endwise direction with respect to the cigar in a guide 77. The reciprocating motion as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5 is imparted to the rods 76 by any suitablemeans such as will readily occur to one skilled-,in the art such for instance as a cam, and a cam follower secured to the rods, an example of suitable structure for this purpose being shown in a patent to Neumair et al. No. 1,721,527 dated July 23, 1929. Such operating means will of course be driven in timed relation to the rotation of the turret. As will be seen from Figs. 5 and 8, on end wise-movement of the elements 75 toward the end of the cigar the shaping portions 7 5a and 755 of the tucker elements whichform'a flared opening leading to a slit 79 between the tucker elements, Will force together diametrically opposite points on the overhanging Wrapper and thus bring them together to produce a figure eight formation of said overhanging portion. The'operating mechanism for reciprocating the elements 5 is timed to cause this action slightly prior to the ope-rating movement of the tuckers 78.

The two opposed tucker elements 78 are given radial movement toward and away from the axis of the cigar by any suitable means such as a pair of oscillating arms 7 3a and 73?) mounted on a shaft 74. yThese levers are given pscillating movement (as indicated in Fig. 4) 1n opposite directions toward and away from the axis of the cigar by any conventional ,means such as for instance cams operated in timed relation to the rotation of the turret and acting on the arms or extensions thereof.

Thus the angular portions 7 8a of the tucker elements 7 8 will tuck in the loops of the figure eight formation as shown in Fig. 9 and the angular portions a and 7 8a being complementary so that they interfit about the axis of the cigar, the folds so formed will be creased into the X shape already .mentioned as shown in Fig. 9.

At` station 'IV, the final folding of the tucked end portion of the wrapper is performed by means of a pair of jaws having endwise or axial movement with respect to the cigar and at the same time closing movement such that they iiatten the tucked material in a plane extending lengthwise of the cigar as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. To accomplish this, the jaws which are heated by elements 80a are moved toward the cigar by the sleeve 83 carrying a pivot shaft 84. rThe jaws are then closed on opposite indentations of the X shaped folds by the advancing movement of rollers 85 carriedby a frame 86, a cro-ss member of which extends through a slot in the sleeve which cross member is secured to an axially reciprocating shaft 87. A spring 88 normally urges the jaws to open position. Any conventional source of reciproca-ting movement operating in timed relation to the operation ofthe turret may be utilized to produce the axial movement of the shaft 87 and the sleeve 83, an example of structure suitable for this purpose being that shown in the above mentioned Patent- No. 1,721,527. At station IV, the final folding of the ends ifm is performed by means of the horizontally movable jaws 80, and a .pair of vertically swinging levers 81a and 816 pivoted on a sta# tionary shaft 82 shown in Fig. 4,. which operate the end folding means. The closed position of the jaws is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11, and the relative position of the closed jaws and the open end folding means which consists of a blade 89 carried by the lever 816 and a rod or .wire 90 attached to the lever 81a, is shown in Fig. 12.

Having flattened the overhanging end tuck of the wrapper, the jaws 80, by a retrograde movement of sleeve 83 and a greater retrograde movement of shaft 87, partly open and then recede a small distance at both ends of the cigar, to permit the operation of the levers 81a and 811) and the transverse folder carried thereby. The'outer levers 81?) (at each end ofl the cigar), first move inwardly, bringing the edge of a blade 89 into supporting contact with the underside ofthe flattened end tuck as shown in Fig. 13, whereupon the inner levers 81aadvance a rod carrying the wire 90 in a plane beyond the blade from the end of the cigar which thereby folds the end portion of the flattened tucked material along a transverse fold line over the edge of the then stationary blade 89, Fig. 14. The blade is thereupon moved back into rest position as shown in Fig. 15, andthe jaws 80, which are provided with vertical notches 91 to provide fairway for the rod k90, are again advanced into their inner position thereby doubling back the transversely folded end portion uponthe cigar and .then sharply creasing or crimping the same beyond the end of the cigar thus completing the package which thenhas the appearance shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

By reason of the creasing of the fold andthe heat of the jaws the end fold is locked and sealed.

Upon leaving station IV, the 'roller 45 ascends to the higher surface of cam 46, thereby opening the lap folder 41; and the roller 27 is gradually raised by cam 28 so that,

when arrived at station V, the jaw 36 -of the turret pocket is open and the plunger 39 ejects the finished cigar package P from the turret. By the turning of the turret, the

packages P arrive at the delivery station with A their fold at the bottom and with the outer flap of the lap forward, so that in advancing the finished packages to the take off point,

the bottom friction of their forward motion does not damage the freshly sealed joint but, on the contrary, has'the tendency to tighten the wrapper. v

While passing through station VI, which is idle, the pocket jaws and the lap folders are held open by the cams 28 and 46, so that, when entering station I, the pockets are ready to receive a newV cigar C and wrapper W to repeatthe cycle.

The turret and the several wrapping folding devices described are actuated by their i operating means in timed relation to each other so that the several motions thereof are properly interrelated and the folding process is sucessively performed at a high rate of spee It will be understood that the several end folding means described are duplicated at the opposite end of the cigar and are not separately described because similar in construction and operation.

In view of the foregoing further description of the operation of this device is deemed unnecessary and is omitted in the interest of brevity. y i

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with devices for supporting an lelongated article encircled byv a wrapper which overhangs one of its ends, of means having tucker elements movable into interitting relationship about the axis of the article for tucking in and creasing the `overhanging material to form it into an X crosssection, and mechanism for flattening and foldingtransversely the end portion of the tucked material.

2. The combination with devices for supporting an elongated article encircled by a wrapper which overhangs one of its ends, of means having tucker elements movable into interfitting relationship about the axis ofthe article for tucking in and creasing the overhanging material to form it into an X cross-section, and'mechanism for flattening and folding transversely the end portion of the, tucked material, said tucker elements having complementary angle portions projecting toward said axis. 3. The combination with devices for supporting an elongated article encircled by a wrapper which overhangs one of its ends, of means having tucker elements movable into interfitting relationship about the axis of the article for tucking in and creasing the overhanging material, and mechanismY for flattening and folding transversely the end portion of the tucked material, said tucker elements having four complementary angle portions for tucking in the top, bottom and two sides of the overhanging material.

4. The combination with devices for supporting .an elongated article encircled by a mechanism for causing approaching move-r ments of said elements to the article end and each other. v c

5. The combination with devicesfor. supporting an elongated article encircled by a wrapper which overhangs one ofits ends, of means having tucker elements movable into intertting relationship about the axis of the article for tucking in and creasing the overhanging material to form it into an X cross-section, and mechanism for attening and folding transversely the end portion of the tucked material, said tuclrer sections including portions complementary in shape to the article end for laying the wrapper about the end during said ing.

6. The combination with devices for supporting an elongated article encircled by a wrapper which overhangs one of its ends, and means having tucker elements movable into interfitting relationship about the axis of the article` for tucking in and creasing the overhanging material, and mechanism for attening and folding transversely the end portion of the tucked material, said tucker sections including a pair of opposed elements having radial movement tow-ard each other and a second pair of opposed elements having an opening between them flared toward the article end and having endwise movement to and from the article.

7. The combination with devices for supporting an elongated article encircled by a wrapper which overhangs one of its ends, of means having tucker elements movable into interlitting relationship about the axis o-f the article for tucking in and creasing the over" hanging material to form it intoan X crosssection, and mechanism for flattening and folding transversely the end portion of the tucked material, said mechanism including means for doubling back and sharply creasing the end portion.

8. The combination with devices for supporting an elongated article encircled by a wrapper which overhangs one of its ends, of

means having tucker elements movable into interiitting relationship about the axis of the article for tucking in and creasing the overhanging material to form it into an X cross-section, and mechanism for flattening and foldingtransversely the end portion of the tucked material, said mechanism including a blade movable into position to support one side of the flattened material and an element movable in a plane beyond said blade to fold the projecting flattened material on said bladen. i

9. The combination with devices for supporting an elongated article encircled by a wrapper which overhangs one of its ends, of means having tucker elements movable into intertting relationship about the axis of the article for tucking in and creasing the overhanging material, and mechanism for flattening and folding transversely the end portion of the tucked material, said mechanism including a pair of aws having combined endwise and closing movement to crease the last formed fold.

i 10. Mechanism for doubling backy and sharply creasing a projecting tongue of flattened wrapper material comprising, a blade movable into position to support one side of the tongue, an element movable in a plane `beyond said blade to fold the end portion of the tongue onsaid blade, a pair of jaws and means for giving said jaws combined endwise and closing movement to complete the folding of the end portion and then sharply crease thefold. v

11. Mechanism for doubling back and sharply creasing a projecting tongue of flattened wrapper material comprising a blade movable into position to support one side of the tongue, an element movable in a plane beyond said blade to fold the end portion of the tongue on said blade, a pair of jaws and means for giving said jaws combinedendwise and closing movement to complete the fold-v ing ofl the end portion and then sharply crease the fold, said element comprising va rod and said jaws having notches in their ends to provide fairway for the rod.

12. The combination with devices for supporting an elongated article encircled by a wrapper which overhangs one of its ends, of means having two pairs of opposed tucker elements each element having inwardly projecting angle portions movable into inter` fitting relationship about the axis of the article for tucking in and creasing the overhanging material.

13. The combination with devices for supporting an elongated article encircled by a wrapper which overhangs one of its ends, of means having two pairs of opposed tucker elements each element having inwardly projecting angle portions movable into intertting relationship about the axis of the article for tucking in and creasing the overhanging material, and means for imparting endwise movement with respect to the article to one of said pairs vand radial movement of the other of said pairs.

14. The combination with devices for supporting an elongated article encircled by a wrapper which overhangs one of its ends, of means having tucker elements about the axis of the article movable towardand away from the end of saidy article to tuck in the overhanging materialto form it into an X crosssection said elements having portions complementary to the shape of the end of the article for laying the wrapper smoothly over the end of the article simultaneously with said tucking.

l5. The combination with devices for supporting an elongated article encircled by a Wrapper which overhangs one of its ends, of means having tucker elements movable into interlitting relationship about the axis of the article for tucking'in and creasing the overhanging material, and mechanism for fiattening and folding transversely the end p0rtion of the tucked material, said mechanism including a heat sealing device. l

16. The method of wrapping elongated articles having a rounded or tapered end, consisting in Wrapping a sheet of material circumferentially about the article and overhangin -said end, tucking in the circumfer- V ence o .the overhanging material to form a series of radiating folds, creasing said folds to form them into an ,X cross-section, {lattening the projecting tucked material and transversely folding the end portion of the attened material.

17. The method of wrapping elongated articles having a rounded or tapered end, consisting vin wrapping a sheet of material circumferentially about the article and overhanging said end, tucking in the circumference of the overha'n ing material to form a series of radiating olds to form it into an X cross-section, flattening the projectin tucked materia-l, transversely foldin the end portion of the flattened material, an sharply creasin the last formed fold.

18. he method of wrappingelongated articles having a rounded or tapered end, consisting in wrapping a sheet of material circumferentiall)7 about the article and overhanging said end, tucking in the circumference of the overhanging material to form a series of radiating folds, attening the rojecting tucked material and transversely oldortion of the vflattened 'mate ing the end rial, said tuc overhanging material at two opposite points to form the material into ligure 8 crosssection, and then tucking inl the loops of the figure eight to form the overhanging material into X crosssection.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.-

- ROBERT J. BEUTL.

ng consisting in tucking the. 

